Image: Children engage in an ocean conservation activity by ProBleu, promoting environmental awareness among young students in Barcelona.
In celebration of World Ocean Day, ProBleu and SHORE reaffirm their commitment to enhancing ocean and water literacy within school communities. Recognized globally on June 8, World Ocean Day calls for crucial ocean and climate action, uniting organizations and individuals in conservation efforts.
ProBleu and SHORE, together with its sister project BlueLightS, is part of the ambitious 2030 EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”. These projects offer vital resources, guidance, and financial grants to support the growth of the Network of European Blue Schools. In partnership with the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), these initiatives have already attracted applications from thousands of schools, aiming to expand the network from 130 to over 1300 Blue Schools across Europe by 2030.
Jaume Piera, from ICM-CSIC and General Coordinator for ProBleu, highlighted the role of citizen science in this educational endeavour. “Citizen science not only engages students in hands-on scientific activities but also enhances their understanding of the complex issues facing our oceans today,” said Piera. “By actively involving students in data collection and analysis, we bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and community action, empowering young minds to contribute to ocean conservation.”
As the coordinator of the SHORE project, Prof. Dr. Afşin ÇETİNKAYA emphasized the importance of empowering youth to become eco-citizens and agents of change and reducing our carbon footprint. Currently, our world is facing serious threats such as climate crisis and environmental degradation. Therefore, every individual needs to be aware of the protection of natural resources, sustainability, and our environment.
As global coordination for World Ocean Day continues to grow since its inception in 2002 and official recognition by the United Nations in 2008, ProBleu, SHORE and BlueLightS stand at the forefront of educational transformations that are crucial for the preservation of our planet’s aquatic environments.
For more information about World Ocean Day and to join the movement, visit WorldOceanDay.org.
Funded by the European Union